Zara Larsson Says Supporting Palestine Cost Her Gigs and Deals in New Documentary

Swedish pop star Zara Larsson has opened up in her new Amazon Prime Video documentary, Up Close, about the challenges she has faced as an outspoken artist.

In the film, Larsson shares how her support for Palestine affected her career, revealing that she was dropped from music gigs, award-show performances, and deals as a result.

About three weeks ago, Larsson confirmed that she had turned down an invitation to perform at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Speaking to Swedish public broadcaster Sveriges Radio on the program P4 Extra, Gästen, she explained that her decision was based on her ethical objections to Israel’s participation.

Larsson said, “It’s a super big stage, over 100 million people watching, but I didn’t feel like I could go on that stage and stand for those who competed, Israel. It didn’t feel right there and then.” She added, “I didn’t want to do it. It didn’t feel right. I’m not sad I declined and I would do it 100 times over.”

Her choice reflected a wider movement in Sweden, where over 1,000 musical artists, including Robyn, signed an open letter in Aftonbladet calling for Israel’s exclusion from the contest.

The group criticized the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for what they described as a double standard, pointing to Russia’s ban from the 2022 Eurovision while Israel remained allowed to compete. The EBU, however, maintained that the Eurovision Song Contest is non-political and represents a competition between public service broadcasters rather than governments.

Larsson’s documentary Up Close goes further into her personal and professional life, showing her rise to fame and the pressures of the music industry. The film highlights her determination to stay true to her beliefs despite career setbacks and public scrutiny.

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